SAN FRANCISCO — Yoenis Cespedes was in the starting lineup for the sixth straight day Saturday, the first time he had played as many consecutive days since he returned from the disabled list. It was a decision that Terry Collins made after the outfielder came to him and asked to play.

"He wanted to play," said the Mets manager, who had thought hard about giving Cespedes Saturday off and admitted Sunday might not be a day of rest for the Cuban slugger either. "He said he wanted to talk about it after the game today."

Yoenis Cespedes has told the Mets he knows his body well enough to be involved in his determining his playing time. (Neville E. Guard/USA Today Sports)

The Mets have been concerned about Cespedes' workload contributing to leg issues. He missed 37 games earlier this season with a strained left hamstring. During his rehab, Cespedes worked with strength and conditioning coordinator Mike Barwis to develop a pregame program to help his flexibility, which he believes is helping him.

Still, Collins was very clear when Cespedes came back that the Mets wanted to be cautious with him because of his long history leg issues. Cespedes, however, was very clear that his opinion would weigh very heavily in the decision and Saturday, he clearly made his case.

CONFORTO COMFORTABLE

Michael Conforto was out of the starting lineup for the third time in five games. Curtis Granderson's hot-hand of late and three career home runs off Giants starter Johnny Cueto made him a lock to play Saturday.

Conforto, however, came in and had a pinch-hit RBI-single.

"I'd much rather be in there, but I understand the situation and I am OK with it," Conforto said.

Last year, Conforto struggled and with erratic playing time, it became more of an issue. It was around this time last year he was sent back to the minors to play every day and figure it out.

This time, Conforto feels a lot more in control of his swing and himself.

"I am much more comfortable with myself as a player," Conforto said. "I stay ready and I know that it won't affect my swing."

Conforto had three hits Friday night, a highlight in a rough month. He has hit .200 in 20 games in June.

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Rafael Montero. (Frank Franklin II/AP)

A CHANCE FOR MONTERO

As the Mets are trying to keep the remains of their rotation healthy, Rafael Montero gets yet another chance to prove himself.

With the Mets missing Noah Syndergaard (torn right lat), Matt Harvey (stress injury right shoulder) and Zack Wheeler (biceps tendinitis), they are even more focused on keeping Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo rested and healthy. So they decided against bringing back Gsellman, who is struggling anyway, back on regular, four-days rest for Sunday's start. The Mets decided to stick with the "six-man" rotation through Monday's off day to just keep them rested.

Still Montero, who will make the spot start, has pitched well in his last two appearance, giving the Mets some hope that he's finally figured it out.

"He's always changed speeds but right now he's getting ahead in the count and instead of being ball one he's strike one," Collins said of the 26-year old. "He went down (to the minors), pitched well, he was instructed by (pitching coach Dan Warthen), by me, by his minor league coaches your stuff is good enough and if you're not going to throw it over you can't pitch in the big leagues.

"So he went down and realized he had good enough stuff and he's come back up here and done exactly what he did in the minor leagues," Collins said. "And that's throw strikes and his stuff is good enough and hopefully it plays tomorrow."

Montero is 1-5 with a 5.29 ERA in 14 career starts.

After Monday's off day, the Mets will go back to a five-man rotation and Montero will likely find himself back in the bullpen. After allowing just one run in 6.2 innings pitched in his last two appearances, Montero has at least earned more chances there.